Ex- Australian Lawmaker Sentenced for Over Half a Decade for Sex Crimes
One-time lawmaker sentenced of sexually abusing two victims he met through his position has been sentenced to 69 months in prison.
Legal Proceedings
The former official, mid-forties, was in custody since mid-year after the court found him guilty of raping an individual and attacking another, in multiple events in 2013 and 2015.
Ward represented the seaside community of the district in the NSW government from over a decade ago. He left his position as a government official when the claims came to light in 2021 but resisted resigning from the legislature and returned to office in 2023.
Court Ruling
Justice the court official considered his visual impairment of vision impairment in the judgment and found "no different consequence besides detention would be suitable".
The defendant, who was present via video-link at the courthouse, will complete at least 45 months in custody before he can request parole.
The judge said the legal system needs to "deliver a strong warning to potential criminals that illegal behaviors like these will be subject to salutary penalties".
Case Background
She also said the defendant had "escaped justice for ten years and enjoyed a life without a programme or consequence for the offenses during those years".
After his conviction, Ward attempted a failed legal bid to continue in parliament and resigned shortly before the members could expel him.
Defense attorneys has stated earlier he intends to challenge the guilty verdict.
Incident Details
The defendant's extended court case in the NSW District Court heard that he invited a inebriated young adult to his residence in the first incident and sexually abused him three times, despite resistance attempts to resist.
Subsequently, he sexually assaulted a mid-twenties government employee at his home after an event at the legislature.
He had claimed the later assault didn't happen, and that the other complainant was misremembering their encounter from 2013.
But the prosecution contended that striking similarities in the accounts of the individuals, who were unacquainted with the other, demonstrated they were telling the truth.
Court members considered for multiple days before announcing the findings of guilt.
The political exit led to a special election in Kiama in autumn, which was won by the opposition party.
